Here’s the article (it’s certainly worth a read, especially in today’s times):
A Wall Street Job Can’t Match a Calling in Life
What struck me most deeply were two sentiments:
“There’s a direct relationship between risk and reward. A fantastically rewarding career usually requires you to take fantastic risks.”
and
“A calling is an activity you find so compelling that you wind up organizing your entire self around it — often to the detriment of your life outside of it.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Over the years, I’ve worked with a good number individuals who dream of having a fantastic and thrilling career, but in some essential way(s) aren’t willing to embrace or take on what’s required to achieve it.
What is required? Here’s a list of traits and characteristics that I believe are essential to having a fantastic career (or following a calling):
- Boundless energy and commitment
- A large reserve of hope and faith
- Self-esteem and self-confidence to know that your dream is achievable
- Openness to learn from your mistakes and to get help when needed
- A healthy dose of reality about what’s necessary to succeed on this path
- Risk-acceptance and tolerance
- The belief that you can’t live without pursuing this career
- A very tough skin
I agree with Michael too that neither way is better (a job or calling); they’re just different. “There are costs and benefits to both.” You may have a job you enjoy (or can live with) yet know that what makes you feel passionate and powerful is not your job, but outside interests and experiences. The key is to follow a path (either personally or professionally) that lights you up on the inside, and motivates you to be all you can be.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights:
1) Are you involved in a job or a calling? Which works best for you?
2) If you feel you have a fantastic career and professional life, what did it take to get it?
3) What advice can you give for others about the benefits and risks to having a job vs. following a calling?
I have a friend who says that what I do is my ministry. I am an Operating Engineer and what I do is what makes me breathe. When I am running a bulldozer or an excavator I am completely present in my life. I have been doing this for over 25 years and have derived my pleasure, my solace and my satisfaction from it.
The economics of the past 4 or 5 years have had a huge impact on the construction industry. Lately getting up and facing my day has become more about the “job” and the “paycheck” than about me loving what I do. As a union member I take the jobs as the come up and they have been less about skill and passion and more about getting something done as quickly and as cheaply as a contractor wants.
I have often thought of doing something entirely different, but at 54 my options are limited. When I get close to making that decision my heart breaks and I cannot follow through.
My only hope is that things will turn around now with the focus on the countrys infrastructure.
[...] article was called, “The Top 4 Reasons Why Most Career Dreams Fail” by Kathy Caprino: A job and a calling are very different. They require different things of us. Many people think their career dream is to have a [...]